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they want them to carry the burden of reducing the deficit and refuse to ask higher income individuals to pitch in to fully share responsibility. and that is exactly what is happening. it is important to know that republicans are now demanding that the wealthiest of the very wealthiest estates in this country get a sweetheart deal on estate taxes which would help 7,200 families in the country next year get an average tax break of $1.2 million. and they are holding up tax relief for everybody else in the country in order to get this demand met for the very wealthiest estates. this isn't even the top 1%. this is a fraction of 1%. while they want to give those folks a big break they want folks on social security to pay more. and so this is a major setback. it is interesting to hear mitch mcconnell talking about his good faith efforts. he knows that he just threw a monkey wrench into the negotiations y. think he is also doing it to protect speaker boehner and the republicans and the house because he doesn't want to send them a deal that he knows they are going to vote down. >> let's talk a
they want them to carry the burden of reducing the deficit and refuse to ask higher income individuals to pitch in to fully share responsibility. and that is exactly what is happening. it is important to know that republicans are now demanding that the wealthiest of the very wealthiest estates in this country get a sweetheart deal on estate taxes which would help 7,200 families in the country next year get an average tax break of $1.2 million. and they are holding up tax relief for everybody...
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Dec 24, 2012
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doesn't contribute to the deficit. and we're talking about the deficit. why should social security be discussed in that context? >> completely off the table? >> absolutely. absolutely. and that was the -- and that was our position during the campaign. social security has nothing to do with the deficit. does not contribute to it. walled off from it. its own trust fund with $2.7 trillion in it at the moment. and the american people by huge majorities say we shouldn't be cutting social security or for that matter medicare benefits. you can cut medicare in ways you don't cut benefits and the hypocrisy of republicans that said that democrats are terrible because they took $716 billion from medicare for obama care and what do we want to do? pocket the cuts and add more. our chief demand is entitlement cuts. medicare and social security. >> talk about the debt ceiling and where this is played in to this conversation. that is coming up in february or supposed to come up in february. john boehner made the offer to take it off the table for a year but i want to sho
doesn't contribute to the deficit. and we're talking about the deficit. why should social security be discussed in that context? >> completely off the table? >> absolutely. absolutely. and that was the -- and that was our position during the campaign. social security has nothing to do with the deficit. does not contribute to it. walled off from it. its own trust fund with $2.7 trillion in it at the moment. and the american people by huge majorities say we shouldn't be cutting social...
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it would have an impact on the deficit. the president and democrats said they would like to have more deficit reduction but they don't want middle income seniors paying for that. it's a tough, tough point. the president said he would be open to entitlement changes in a bigger, broader deal. that's not what this was intended to be in the last 48 hours or so. i don't have a crystal ball. the moment we are in right now, it's not looking good. >> kelly o'donnell, live on capitol hill. we will check back in with you. thank you so much. again, the update, the highlight there from kelly o'donnell. there's been a major setback at this point in negotiations. according to democratic sources telling some democrats they are in a worse place in the negotiations now than they have been in some time. we're keeping a close eye on capitol hill. all the fiscal cliff business, maybe we put it aside at some point. we are not going to talk about that. by all accounts, 2013 should be a year of economic recovery. it should be. in a new article in
it would have an impact on the deficit. the president and democrats said they would like to have more deficit reduction but they don't want middle income seniors paying for that. it's a tough, tough point. the president said he would be open to entitlement changes in a bigger, broader deal. that's not what this was intended to be in the last 48 hours or so. i don't have a crystal ball. the moment we are in right now, it's not looking good. >> kelly o'donnell, live on capitol hill. we will...
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we are looking at the deficit of this year and looking at deficit of that size as far as the eye can see and not how to put together a minor package as chuck was talking about. this is the larger deal. the problem you have, obviously, not much time so i think you're likely to see a two-step process here. dealing with the immediate dynamics to, in fact, set up a situation to deal with the larger situation. but ultimately, here, the other element to occur is this is a real negotiating process. i have to say i was disappointed in the president when he used this line, when the speaker said to him, hey, i'm giving you $800 billion. what do i zbhet the president's response was nothing. the white house has to come up with -- >> the response of the white house is times is different. 2011 is 2011. doesn't speaker boehner get less out of a smaller deal? >> no, no. i think he wants a larger deal and going back to august of 2011, they were -- they got very close to the large deal. richard, pushing back in terms of a little bit in terms, look, this is a negotiating process. one side can't say you
we are looking at the deficit of this year and looking at deficit of that size as far as the eye can see and not how to put together a minor package as chuck was talking about. this is the larger deal. the problem you have, obviously, not much time so i think you're likely to see a two-step process here. dealing with the immediate dynamics to, in fact, set up a situation to deal with the larger situation. but ultimately, here, the other element to occur is this is a real negotiating process. i...
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and it immediately moved to deficit reduction and how to do it. and that was a very fundamental, important shift in the conversation. >> we have to go, but -- we have to go, but i heard that after the show, sam stein will be on twiner. you can be there, too. >> we can get together. >> we have another important item, though, which is the biggest hurdle arguably to president obama's second term agenda. that's something you're probably never going to hear about, literally. people think of the filibuster as a talk athon to stop action in the senate. but nowadays it has been attacked with a constant extreme of silent filibusters. up next, the talking filibuster ahead live. >>> time for the your business preer oes weeks. amber and mark started north carolina's based footsteps clothing which had a booming christmas themed pajama liven. not wanting to be jump a seasonal line of christmas, they added other opportunities. for more, watch "your business." sunday morning at 7:30 a.m. everyone loves surprise parties. yeah, so last week we had a surprise party
and it immediately moved to deficit reduction and how to do it. and that was a very fundamental, important shift in the conversation. >> we have to go, but -- we have to go, but i heard that after the show, sam stein will be on twiner. you can be there, too. >> we can get together. >> we have another important item, though, which is the biggest hurdle arguably to president obama's second term agenda. that's something you're probably never going to hear about, literally. people...
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agrees that you can't set this nation's economy on a healthy path that cease going to take care of our deficit and make it a managinin bart of gdp. he knows we can't asked the republicans to raise it 1.2, 1.3 trillion in revenue. he's reached out and made cig nif kant concessions and the response to that was nothing. it is pathetic. >> jaret, let me ask you, if we go over the cliff, what ps? is there not an immediate impact on people with unemployment insurance and other things? i mean, what happens if we go over this cliff? >> well, you really have to distinguish between going over the cliff and quickly reversing the damage, meaning in a matter of weeks, which is still impossible. if we go over and stay over, a couple of million people will lose their unemployment benefits. eventually, taxes will increase for millions of others. the payroll tax holiday will probably be gone either way. once we go over the cliff, the economic pain will be forthcoming. >> and can be significant. give me a yes or no. are we going over the cliff? or will it be a last-minute deal? >> i think we're going over. >> y
agrees that you can't set this nation's economy on a healthy path that cease going to take care of our deficit and make it a managinin bart of gdp. he knows we can't asked the republicans to raise it 1.2, 1.3 trillion in revenue. he's reached out and made cig nif kant concessions and the response to that was nothing. it is pathetic. >> jaret, let me ask you, if we go over the cliff, what ps? is there not an immediate impact on people with unemployment insurance and other things? i mean,...
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as a former governor, we don't operate with big deficits. you can't do that and we're in trouble in this country financially. the long term and in the short term, yes, we'll have a recession. it won't be a bad one but it will be one and nobody wants a recession. in the long term i think wall street goes crazy and you will see 15,000, 17,000 in the dow because finally somebody has done something serious about the deficit. i don't believe they will if they come to an agreement. >> you know, governor rendell, i want to know if you agree with governor dean. part of the message, one of the things that strikes me, the message for so long has been we can't go over the cliff, we can't go over the cliff. here are all the things that will happen to individual americans if we go over the cliff. there's a lot of anxiety out there. we've been hearing about that, we've seen the markets up and down. to some degree, i understand the political arguments but in terms of the argument of the stability of the country and our economy, do you agree with governor d
as a former governor, we don't operate with big deficits. you can't do that and we're in trouble in this country financially. the long term and in the short term, yes, we'll have a recession. it won't be a bad one but it will be one and nobody wants a recession. in the long term i think wall street goes crazy and you will see 15,000, 17,000 in the dow because finally somebody has done something serious about the deficit. i don't believe they will if they come to an agreement. >> you know,...
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forward to deal with comprehensive tax policy in a fair and responsible way and let's deal with the deficit and the balance in a fair away. john boehner basically said no to all of that. and that's really not acceptable leadership. >> is there any -- should harry reid amend the bill that the house sent over at all? the fact is, harry reid has -- needs to add republican cooperation. he wants to say, look, this isn't a game. this isn't show. you know, i can bring out a bill, pass a bill. if john boehner says i'm not going to look at that, what's the point? let's make something happen here. that is what the american people are looking for. we're concerned about the fiscal and economic policies. there's a recovery period that we're experiencing to put more challenges before the economy both consumers and investors. let's create certainty. let's make sure that we pass tax cuts for -- you know, for the majority, the advanced majority, 98%. and let's get that done and move through the regular process to deal with the bigger questions. i'd like to ask you before we go, obviously, the governorship i
forward to deal with comprehensive tax policy in a fair and responsible way and let's deal with the deficit and the balance in a fair away. john boehner basically said no to all of that. and that's really not acceptable leadership. >> is there any -- should harry reid amend the bill that the house sent over at all? the fact is, harry reid has -- needs to add republican cooperation. he wants to say, look, this isn't a game. this isn't show. you know, i can bring out a bill, pass a bill. if...
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working with house speaker john boehner and trying to get a big deal that dealt with tax reform and deficit reduction. that fell apart and talks have largely been stalled this entire time. there was a lost pressure to get something done. we have seen some of the impacts of the fiscal cliff. consumers saying they have been more cautious with their holiday spending because of the uncertainty in washington. economists warn it could get worse and the markets could be foiled if we go over the fiscal cliff. taxes will go up for the average american by about $2,000 and could put us back into a recession. >> which nobody wants to see. kristen welker in hawaii. the president is coming back, but they haven't gotten the 48 hour notice. they are very much out there in play. thank you very much for joining us. appreciate it. when the senate returns tomorrow morning, there will be a new emphasis on members taking a larger role in the fiscal cliff negotiations that based off the current offer may only have a smaller deal. a member of the budget committee and outspoken voice on the left side of the aisle.
working with house speaker john boehner and trying to get a big deal that dealt with tax reform and deficit reduction. that fell apart and talks have largely been stalled this entire time. there was a lost pressure to get something done. we have seen some of the impacts of the fiscal cliff. consumers saying they have been more cautious with their holiday spending because of the uncertainty in washington. economists warn it could get worse and the markets could be foiled if we go over the fiscal...
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reduce the deficit by 10 or 12%. so it's a question at this point of what sort of hollow, empty meaningless symbolic gesture daus washington want to make and how many group of people do they want on the altar to make that gesture. >> what's so interesting here is that we're talking about the republicans fighting to protect 1.2% of the american public from a tax increase. 98.2% of taxpayers are below the $250,000 threshold so it's kind of amazing in congress, particularly when we're talking about the house, that he's made a pledge around tacks that its willing to allow 98.2% of americans to pay more by going over -- around this curve, it's more of a curve than a cliff. but i think the issue of the deficit is important. i don't think it's a symbolic gesture. one of the things that we've seen is $200 million we've started carving off the deficit. and the question is the time frame of deficit reduction, right? it's how fast, over what time trajectory do we see health? we've been making improvements over the past three ye
reduce the deficit by 10 or 12%. so it's a question at this point of what sort of hollow, empty meaningless symbolic gesture daus washington want to make and how many group of people do they want on the altar to make that gesture. >> what's so interesting here is that we're talking about the republicans fighting to protect 1.2% of the american public from a tax increase. 98.2% of taxpayers are below the $250,000 threshold so it's kind of amazing in congress, particularly when we're...
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and really, is not interested in a balanced approach to deficit reduction. it's been pretty clear that that's the story we have been telling and it happens to be the truth. >> i understand that two of colleagues proposed cuts to medicare for a hike in the debt ceiling. what do you make of that offer? >> i think one of the things that people don't realize is that it's a dirty little secret. the republicans don't want to cut the things that americans want cut. and they want to cut things that americans don't want cut. poll after poll shown americans do not want deficit reduction done by cutting medicare and medicare and social security. so they propose and saw the same scenario when paul ryan put the budget out and because the american people rejected the kind of draconian cuts that the republicans want to make so, you know, that's a nonstarter in the senate. i think it's a nonstarter with the president. sure can pass the house but going nowhere past that. >> the smaller offer we hear that the president is making at 3:00, to congressional leadership, what kind
and really, is not interested in a balanced approach to deficit reduction. it's been pretty clear that that's the story we have been telling and it happens to be the truth. >> i understand that two of colleagues proposed cuts to medicare for a hike in the debt ceiling. what do you make of that offer? >> i think one of the things that people don't realize is that it's a dirty little secret. the republicans don't want to cut the things that americans want cut. and they want to cut...
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who should pick up the burden for deficit reduction? working people who have seen their wages go down or the top 2% who have done phenomenally well, while their effective tax rate, as mitt romney reminded us by not releasing his tax returns, is extremely low. so to my mind, what this deficit reduction debate is about is asking the wealthiest people, the large corporations to help us with deficit reduction and give a break for a change to the middle class and working families. >> as you say, one that would mean less money for seniors with the social security adjustment is off the table, are you more optimistic about getting a deal done. >> we still have a long way to go. >> what do you see as the major sticking point? >> one of the sticking pointing, what the republicans want to do is continue the 2010 agreement on lower estate tax rates, which means, chris, $120 billion tax break over a ten-year period for the top 0.2 of 1%. they get $120 billion tax break. and people come forward and say we're very serious about deficit reduction. thir
who should pick up the burden for deficit reduction? working people who have seen their wages go down or the top 2% who have done phenomenally well, while their effective tax rate, as mitt romney reminded us by not releasing his tax returns, is extremely low. so to my mind, what this deficit reduction debate is about is asking the wealthiest people, the large corporations to help us with deficit reduction and give a break for a change to the middle class and working families. >> as you...
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paul ryan, the big deficit guy, or so he says, he was on the simpson-bowles commission, and he voted against it, as did every other house republican on the commission. the white house saw no reason to embrace something that raised taxes so sky high and so the white house brought out something that was frankly to the right of simpson-bowles. their budget was to its right and they thought it had a better chance of passing. they thought it was a compromise. but the house republicans did not respond the same way. when they brought out the ryan budget, which was their budget alternative, they didn't compromise. they went way to the right. there was no compromise in it at all. that is fact number one. number two, in 2010 republicans won the midterm election. 2011 the white house agreed to a deal that was all spending cuts. it is the budget control act. it cuts spending by $1.8 trillion over the next decade. except for an increase in pell grants, the bill is all cuts, no taxes. and democrats agree to that. they agreed. that is fact number two. fact number three. at this point even after win
paul ryan, the big deficit guy, or so he says, he was on the simpson-bowles commission, and he voted against it, as did every other house republican on the commission. the white house saw no reason to embrace something that raised taxes so sky high and so the white house brought out something that was frankly to the right of simpson-bowles. their budget was to its right and they thought it had a better chance of passing. they thought it was a compromise. but the house republicans did not...
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that plan would have dealt with tax reform and deficit reduction and this will be a much more scaled back version that will deal with the issue of taxes and that is still the big sticking point, taxes. of course, democrats and president obama have called for tax rates to increase on those making $250,000 or less. republicans have said that's way too low. so they're thinking about potentially compromising on a rate that would be $400,000 or $500,000, but some republicans are saying they don't think that the tax rate should go up on anyone. so taxes still the major sticking point. right now the negotiations are going on the hill and there's a lot of optimism that came from the talks yesterday. of course, president obama hosted congressional leaders at the white house and they left that meeting and many said that it was constructive and they were optimistic that a deal could get done and i've been talking to my sources today and that same optimism isn't really present right now. there's more skepticism about a deal getting done and it is still very early in this process and this is a fl
that plan would have dealt with tax reform and deficit reduction and this will be a much more scaled back version that will deal with the issue of taxes and that is still the big sticking point, taxes. of course, democrats and president obama have called for tax rates to increase on those making $250,000 or less. republicans have said that's way too low. so they're thinking about potentially compromising on a rate that would be $400,000 or $500,000, but some republicans are saying they don't...
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it ought to be about reducing the deficit and the debt, and what they are essentially suggesting is we want new taxes. we want higher taxes on people in this country to pay for new spending. >> so what happens next? with us nbc news capitol hill correspondent mike vic rah and nbc news white house correspondent kristen welker. mike, let's get started with you. what's happening right now in the senate. i understand there's an update on the chained cpi. >> reporter: they say the darkest hour right before the dawn, melissa. everybody ought to hope that's true, at least if you don't want to see your taxes go up on midnight on monday and tuesday night because everything seems to be at a standstill right now. let's review the bidding. here it is from a republican source here on the republican side of capitol hill. all day yesterday they were trading proposals back and forth. by his count two democratic offers came back to republicans and four came back from republicans to democrats. the last one being at 7:00 last night, and, boom, after that, things pretty much came to a standsti standstill.
it ought to be about reducing the deficit and the debt, and what they are essentially suggesting is we want new taxes. we want higher taxes on people in this country to pay for new spending. >> so what happens next? with us nbc news capitol hill correspondent mike vic rah and nbc news white house correspondent kristen welker. mike, let's get started with you. what's happening right now in the senate. i understand there's an update on the chained cpi. >> reporter: they say the...
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american looking for a job, and lays the groundwork for future cooperation on more economic growth and deficit reduction. you guys, i can hear you over there. i believe such a proposal could pass both houses with bipartisan majorities. as long as those leaders allow it, to actually come to a vote. if members of the house or the senate want to vote no, they can, but we should let everybody vote. >> i would actually really like to know who he was shushing there. but to his main point, here's what the president intends to do. senators reid and mcconnell will try to come to a deal. if they fail, the white house and harry reid are going to try to jam through a bill that increases taxes on rich people and extends unemployment insurance, which are the two key democratic priorities. they'll pretty much dare republicans to block it. and republicans probably won't be able to, at least not for long. here's johnny isaacson, a republican senator from georgia, over the weekend. >> if we get down to the end of this year, and the only choice we have is to save taxes going up on the middle class, then i would
american looking for a job, and lays the groundwork for future cooperation on more economic growth and deficit reduction. you guys, i can hear you over there. i believe such a proposal could pass both houses with bipartisan majorities. as long as those leaders allow it, to actually come to a vote. if members of the house or the senate want to vote no, they can, but we should let everybody vote. >> i would actually really like to know who he was shushing there. but to his main point,...
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i think that would be a tough lift considering president obama offered $400,000 with $2 trillion in deficit reduction. >> from where you sit right now, i mean, you're so into the house gop, jake, i'm surprised you didn't end up in boehner's suitcase, we look like we're going over. >> it looks like that's the case and that's what gop aides are telling us today, it's very difficult and democrats are saying this too, it's difficult to see a way we avert the fiscal cliff at this point with how slow the senate operates, no plan right now, house is nowhere, and it's almost january. >> highway to the danger zone, jake sherman, politico, thank you so much for joining us, we appreciate it. >>> developing news on president george h.w. bush's health. this is "andrea mitchell reports" only on msnbc. we've all had those moments. when you lost the thing you can't believe you lost. when what you just bought, just broke. or when you have a little trouble a long way from home... as an american express cardmember you can expect some help. but what you might not expect, is you can get all this with a prepaid
i think that would be a tough lift considering president obama offered $400,000 with $2 trillion in deficit reduction. >> from where you sit right now, i mean, you're so into the house gop, jake, i'm surprised you didn't end up in boehner's suitcase, we look like we're going over. >> it looks like that's the case and that's what gop aides are telling us today, it's very difficult and democrats are saying this too, it's difficult to see a way we avert the fiscal cliff at this point...
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insurance is still available for 2 million people, and that lays the groundwork then for additional deficit reduction and economic growth steps that we can take in the new year. but let's not miss this deadline. that's the bear minimum that we should be able to get done. >> majority leader reid is ready to follow through on an up or down vote. reid said in a at the same time, "at president obama's request, i am readying a bill for a vote by monday that will prevent a tax hike on middle class families, making up to $250,000, and that will include the additional critical provisions outlined by president obama." president obama pointed out the danger of inaction. >> the economy is growing, but sustaining that trend is going to require elected officials to do their jobs. the housing market is recovering, but that could be impacted if folks are seeing smaller paychecks. the unemployment rate is the lowest it's been since 2008. but already, you're seeing businesses and consumers starting to hold back, because of the dysfunction that they see in washington. >> the president's stern statement echoe
insurance is still available for 2 million people, and that lays the groundwork then for additional deficit reduction and economic growth steps that we can take in the new year. but let's not miss this deadline. that's the bear minimum that we should be able to get done. >> majority leader reid is ready to follow through on an up or down vote. reid said in a at the same time, "at president obama's request, i am readying a bill for a vote by monday that will prevent a tax hike on...
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americans looking for a job, and lays the ground work for future progress on more economic growth and deficit reduction. >> republicans say they want a deal as well, but they highlighted their biggest sticking points today in their weekly address. listen now to missouri senator roy blount. >> senate democrats have spent months drawing partisan lines in the sand. the president's proposal to raise tax on the top 2% of americans won't even pay one-third of the annual interest that's now owed on this massive $16 trillion debt. in fact, the president's tax hike would only fund the government for eight days. >> the senate is set to reconvene sunday at 1:00 eastern time. the house expected to be in session sunday. are going to start around 2:00 with the first votes coming around 6:30 p.m. let's head on over to the white house. kristen welker standing by. a lot happening in washington, d.c. a lot happening i would assume at the white house. but how engaged is the presidented to in moving this thing forward? >> reporter: good afternoon, t.j. i am told there are conversations going on at the staff leve
americans looking for a job, and lays the ground work for future progress on more economic growth and deficit reduction. >> republicans say they want a deal as well, but they highlighted their biggest sticking points today in their weekly address. listen now to missouri senator roy blount. >> senate democrats have spent months drawing partisan lines in the sand. the president's proposal to raise tax on the top 2% of americans won't even pay one-third of the annual interest that's...
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insurance is still available for two million people and lays the groundwork for economic growth and deficit reduction. >> everything that has been happening in the last several hours has been happening behind the scenes. we have correspondents tracking everything for you. we have luke, luke, i will start with you this hour. the senate officially reconvenes tomorrow afternoon. i assume that there's a lot of closed door talks going on right now. is that true? what can you tell us? >> reporter: that is true, staff from harry reed and mitch mcconnell have been negotiating through the daout the day and in picked up. we have heard that both sides are not budgeting. but we don't know, things can change at any moment. if we have to gauge how to talks have gone so far from the conversations we have had here around capitol hill, they have not been too good at the moment. all that being said though, craig, there's a lot that can happen over the next 48 hours. the deal obviously is to try to have something on the floor that can pass the house of representatives by new year's eve. that is why it's so di
insurance is still available for two million people and lays the groundwork for economic growth and deficit reduction. >> everything that has been happening in the last several hours has been happening behind the scenes. we have correspondents tracking everything for you. we have luke, luke, i will start with you this hour. the senate officially reconvenes tomorrow afternoon. i assume that there's a lot of closed door talks going on right now. is that true? what can you tell us? >>...
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i've been working with leaders to try to forge an agreement to grow our economy and shrink the deficit. a balanced plan that would cut spending a responsible way, but also ask the wealthiest americans to pay a little more and protect the middle class and everyone striving to get into the middle class. i still want to get this cone. it's the right thing for our families. but the hour for immediate action is here. it is now. we're now at the point where in just four days, every american's tax rates are scheduled to go up by law. every american's paycheck will get considerably smaller. and that would be the wrong thing to do. it would be bad for middle class families and bad for businesses that depend on family spending. forchew nat ew fortunately, con can prevent it from happening. i just had a good discussion about how to prevent this tax hike on the middle class. and i'm optimistic we may still be able to reach an agreement that can pass both houses in time. senators reid and mcconnell are working on such an agreement as we speak. but if an agreement isn't reached in time between senat
i've been working with leaders to try to forge an agreement to grow our economy and shrink the deficit. a balanced plan that would cut spending a responsible way, but also ask the wealthiest americans to pay a little more and protect the middle class and everyone striving to get into the middle class. i still want to get this cone. it's the right thing for our families. but the hour for immediate action is here. it is now. we're now at the point where in just four days, every american's tax...
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were close to getting some sort of a grand bargain that would have addressed tax reform as well as deficit reduction. those talks, of course, fell apart. house speaker john boehner tried to get an alternative plan through the house. that didn't work out. now the focus shifts to the senate. senate majority leader harry reid, minority leader mitch mcconnell will have to try to hammer out some sort of a compromise to avoid going over the cliff, but as you pointed out in your introduction, a lot of senators over the weekend expressed concern that, in fact, we will go over the fiscal cliff. of course, if is that happens, the economy could eventually slip back into recession. one interesting point, thomas, though, last time that members of congress worked between christmas and new year's was 1996. that was during the government shutdown. this is really a rare occurrence for members of congress to have to come back and work out legislation that they went able to get done before the christmas holiday. >> the president is supposed to stay there for how long? >> well, of course, the white house not
were close to getting some sort of a grand bargain that would have addressed tax reform as well as deficit reduction. those talks, of course, fell apart. house speaker john boehner tried to get an alternative plan through the house. that didn't work out. now the focus shifts to the senate. senate majority leader harry reid, minority leader mitch mcconnell will have to try to hammer out some sort of a compromise to avoid going over the cliff, but as you pointed out in your introduction, a lot of...
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Dec 29, 2012
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>> there area i variety of different things and the obvious one is we're running a national deficit at a scale that's unsustainable. when it's over $1 trillion like it's been for the last three years that will create some situations where just crisis emerged. that's the first part. the second part is the economy and not pointing fingers at anybody, but the economy is not back on track. there's still a significant level of unemployment and the amount of people who are actually participating and the workforce is down, so you have all of the economic components of this constant situation of where there are these constant fiscal problems. having said that, one of the things that you're seeing in this particular debate and why i'm feeling better about this particular exchange is the sense that, look, when the policy outcome becomes greater than the political payoff, that's when you see bipartisan ship begin to emerge and i think what you're seeing from both sides is the policy outcome is becoming more important and you'll see it program that we'll move in that direction from the fiscal clef
>> there area i variety of different things and the obvious one is we're running a national deficit at a scale that's unsustainable. when it's over $1 trillion like it's been for the last three years that will create some situations where just crisis emerged. that's the first part. the second part is the economy and not pointing fingers at anybody, but the economy is not back on track. there's still a significant level of unemployment and the amount of people who are actually...
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they say they want deficit reduction. if you go over the cliff, you get deficit reduction, you just don't get it in the responsible, accountable way. it's like chopping off on arm. >> like says i want a shower, i'm going to niagra falls. >> they still can't get it done. we're dysfunctional. no other explanation. >> i think they can stop the roller coaster and make it go. they're doing a dance now because republicans don't want to do something to rates. obama wants to play hardball. but i think they'll have a different argument later in the year. >> i guess both believe it's better to go over the falls than cut a deal that's going to hurt them at home. tea party people don't respond to boehner or to cantor or mccarthy or any of them. somebody in the next tea party is going to be yelling from the back, you sold us out. i think that's why the tea party is never going to be functional. they don't really respond to getting things done. they respond to anger back home. >> i think 2014 democrats are also aware of these tax incre
they say they want deficit reduction. if you go over the cliff, you get deficit reduction, you just don't get it in the responsible, accountable way. it's like chopping off on arm. >> like says i want a shower, i'm going to niagra falls. >> they still can't get it done. we're dysfunctional. no other explanation. >> i think they can stop the roller coaster and make it go. they're doing a dance now because republicans don't want to do something to rates. obama wants to play...
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unemployment insurance for americans looking for a job and lays the ground work for more economic growth and deficit reduction. >> the president is optimistic that a deal can be reached midnight on new year's eve. listen to senate minority leader mitch mcconnell. >> we had a good meeting down at the white house. engaged in discussions in the hopes we can come forward as early as sunday and have a recommendation that i can make to my conference and the majority leader can make to his conference. >> and the senate is set to reconvene sunday at 1:00 eastern time. the house also expected to be in session on sunday. they'll start at 2:00 eastern time with the first votes coming at 6:30. let's head up to capitol hill. mike viqueira is there. so what? even if they reach a deal today or tomorrow? do we have time to get this dup? >> i think so, t.j. if they sign off from everybody in the senate. if everybody stands up, no & nobody objects. they call it unanimous consent around here. they can wave their hansory anything. badda bing, badda boom. it's out of here. you look at senate leaders on the floor, and yo
unemployment insurance for americans looking for a job and lays the ground work for more economic growth and deficit reduction. >> the president is optimistic that a deal can be reached midnight on new year's eve. listen to senate minority leader mitch mcconnell. >> we had a good meeting down at the white house. engaged in discussions in the hopes we can come forward as early as sunday and have a recommendation that i can make to my conference and the majority leader can make to his...
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what do you do about deficits? the truth is doing nothing at this point is the best impact they can have on deficits, because taxes will go up, spending will go down. that's the point of this deal. so to come to your point, yeah, i guess they could suddenly hug each other and do had this dance, but the reality is there are a lot of people who think, what we are dealing with is deficits because the budget looks better and we'll deal with the economy some other way. >> doing nothing is what they do best. mike, before we let you go, ed mackey malden running for the united states senate in massachusetts. >> he's never run statewide. do you agree with this? i think scott brown is smiling this morning? i think a race against ed markey well-known in washington, respected here and has taken strong positions on climate change and other issues. he's not a household name in massachusetts. scott brown is. there's a totally different electorate in this special election. scott brown likes this match upup. mike, would you call hi
what do you do about deficits? the truth is doing nothing at this point is the best impact they can have on deficits, because taxes will go up, spending will go down. that's the point of this deal. so to come to your point, yeah, i guess they could suddenly hug each other and do had this dance, but the reality is there are a lot of people who think, what we are dealing with is deficits because the budget looks better and we'll deal with the economy some other way. >> doing nothing is what...
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whatever they do will probably add to the deficit. i think you have 50/50 of getting something done before the end of the year, but it won't be substantive. it will kick the major problems over until the next congress. >> you're saying they're kicking the can. >> yep. >> alex, i'm the eternal optimist, but i think the odds have dropped to 40%. >> 40%. okay. gentlemen, thank you very much. good to talk with you both. happy holidays. see you on the other side of the holidays. >> we've been asking all of you on twitter today how worried are you about the country going over the fiscal cliff. here are some tweets. not at all. thanks to the aoc, administrative office of the courts, california went over it last year. we remain broken and in a bloody heap in the sand. terry bradbury says i'm extremely worrieworried. the people are being held hostage over political egos who refuse to compromise. and it's time for the gop to realize the far-reaching effects of the bush years, going over the fiscal cliff is mild in comparison. and i'm not worrie
whatever they do will probably add to the deficit. i think you have 50/50 of getting something done before the end of the year, but it won't be substantive. it will kick the major problems over until the next congress. >> you're saying they're kicking the can. >> yep. >> alex, i'm the eternal optimist, but i think the odds have dropped to 40%. >> 40%. okay. gentlemen, thank you very much. good to talk with you both. happy holidays. see you on the other side of the...
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we have a $1 trillion annual budget deficit forecast for the next year. that means that president obama's solution would address 8% of the problem. it's by focusing on the 8% and giving the public the impression that that's in fact what would fix the problem that all these parties have done a disservice. they need to focus on spending, not on taxes. if they focus primarily on spending, i bet you would see the tax situation resolve itself. >> david, let's take a sharp turn and talk about the man who came very close to becoming the next president. the "boston globe" has an in-depth look at what might have gone wrong during romney's campaign. romney's eldest song tag along with ann romney who had to we are said him to run. he was quoted as saying he wanted to be president less than anyone i know in my life h.no desire to run. if he could have found somebody else to take his place he would have been ecstatic to step aside. what do you make of this? >> my eyes opened on that story because we know that mitt romney has run twice for the presidency. there were se
we have a $1 trillion annual budget deficit forecast for the next year. that means that president obama's solution would address 8% of the problem. it's by focusing on the 8% and giving the public the impression that that's in fact what would fix the problem that all these parties have done a disservice. they need to focus on spending, not on taxes. if they focus primarily on spending, i bet you would see the tax situation resolve itself. >> david, let's take a sharp turn and talk about...
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and the way we avoid further debt and deficit is to cut spending. >> will we hear -- their -- come up with debt limitations again the boehner principle for every dollar the debt limit is raised we have a cut in spending. that seems to me that -- where there is a huge ideological divide between both parties, republicans say the problem is about spending and democrats say it is all about lack of revenue, how -- how does -- is that bridged in this year? can it be bridged? >> yes, it can. both president obama and speaker boehner have already begun to do a principle compromise. speaker boehner said i'm ready to raise taxes on those over a million dollars. president obama said i'm ready to have a new type of chain to consumer price index which -- impacts entitlement reform. the bipartisan national debt commission, simpson-bowles commission, said for every dollar of spending reduction, including the entitlement reform we immediate to have $1 in tax revenue. that's the principle compromise we have to have. so they are not far off. what we have to have is very simple. $4 trillion in debt reduc
and the way we avoid further debt and deficit is to cut spending. >> will we hear -- their -- come up with debt limitations again the boehner principle for every dollar the debt limit is raised we have a cut in spending. that seems to me that -- where there is a huge ideological divide between both parties, republicans say the problem is about spending and democrats say it is all about lack of revenue, how -- how does -- is that bridged in this year? can it be bridged? >> yes, it...
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obama and john boehner were getting close to some sort of a deal, a deal that would have dealt with deficit reduction as well as tax reform, but that all fell apart and now there's a big question mark about how they move forward and the president himself acknowledging when he addressed the nation on friday that given the tight timeframe, hopes for a larger deal have all, but faded and he's calling on congress to work together to just get a deal that would have at the very least extend lower tax rates for those making $250,000 or less and also to extend unemployment insurance and to help lay the groundwork for deficit reduction in the future. right now the expectations have been lowered a great deal in terms of what is actually possible and you heard the president say that he is still optimistic that something can get done before the january 1st deadline and of course, there's a lot of pressure for these lawmakers to get something done because if they don't the economy could go back into a recession eventa you willy. >> kristen well wiker with the president in hawaii. >>> joining me now from
obama and john boehner were getting close to some sort of a deal, a deal that would have dealt with deficit reduction as well as tax reform, but that all fell apart and now there's a big question mark about how they move forward and the president himself acknowledging when he addressed the nation on friday that given the tight timeframe, hopes for a larger deal have all, but faded and he's calling on congress to work together to just get a deal that would have at the very least extend lower tax...
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part of that is deficit reduction. part of it is also making sure that we're investing for example in rebuilding our infrastructure. which is broken. and if we are putting people back to work rebuilding our roads, our bridges, our schools -- in part paying for it by some of these broader long-term deficit reduction measures that need to take place, that will grow the economy at the same time as we're also setting our path for long-term fiscal stability. number three, we've got a huge opportunity around energy. we are producing more energy and america can become an energy exporter. how do we do that in a way that also deals with some of the environmental challenges that we have at the same time? so that's going to be a third thing. but the most immediate thing i've got to do, starting on january 1st, if congress doesn't act before the end of the year, is make sure that taxes are not going up on middle class families. and because it is going to be very hard for the economy to sustain its current growth trends if suddenly
part of that is deficit reduction. part of it is also making sure that we're investing for example in rebuilding our infrastructure. which is broken. and if we are putting people back to work rebuilding our roads, our bridges, our schools -- in part paying for it by some of these broader long-term deficit reduction measures that need to take place, that will grow the economy at the same time as we're also setting our path for long-term fiscal stability. number three, we've got a huge...
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years, 1% or 2% of the population, they need to contribute a little more to that restructuring of our deficit situation. so i don't think this is political at all. the politics ended on election day. the president made his case, he made it very clearly. there is no doubt as to what was at stake in that election and the president was elected overwhelm lig. so the politics are over. now we're trying to govern the country and i think that's, at least in the house. >> congressman, i got to speak with you twice over the last several days. i appreciate your time. >> you, too. >> this video just in from the scene of a fire in the rochester, new york area. it's reported two firefighters were shot after responding to a large fire at 6:00 this morning. they encountered gun fire as they were getting out to the fire and immediately retreated. one firefighter was shot in the buttocks and is reported to be in satisfactory condition. it's believed that three houses and one vehicle are involved in that fire. residents in the area have been asked to stay in their homes away from windows and doors. we'll keep
years, 1% or 2% of the population, they need to contribute a little more to that restructuring of our deficit situation. so i don't think this is political at all. the politics ended on election day. the president made his case, he made it very clearly. there is no doubt as to what was at stake in that election and the president was elected overwhelm lig. so the politics are over. now we're trying to govern the country and i think that's, at least in the house. >> congressman, i got to...
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you cannot cut your way out of our deficit problem. >> quick exit question. this is a yes or no. do we get a better deal if we go over the cliff? yes or no. >> i can't do yes or no. i'm sorry. >> we have little time. >> a cliff is terrible. if there is a terrible deal proposed, then i think it's better to go over the cliff. >> take it to the brink, obama. >> don't go over the cliff. no. no. >> absolute lie not. >> we have a table divided. >>> negotiations about policy ors personalities. [ male announcer ] when it comes to the financial obstacles military families face, we understand. at usaa, we know military life is different. we've been there. that's why every bit of financial advice we offer is geared specifically to current and former military members and their families. [ laughs ] dad! dad! [ applause ] ♪ [ male announcer ] life brings obstacles. usaa brings advice. call or visit us online. we're ready to help. >>> no vote tonight? >> nope. >> will there be a vote tomorrow? >> nope. >>> what happened mr. cantor? >> talk about the face of futility. that was house majority l
you cannot cut your way out of our deficit problem. >> quick exit question. this is a yes or no. do we get a better deal if we go over the cliff? yes or no. >> i can't do yes or no. i'm sorry. >> we have little time. >> a cliff is terrible. if there is a terrible deal proposed, then i think it's better to go over the cliff. >> take it to the brink, obama. >> don't go over the cliff. no. no. >> absolute lie not. >> we have a table divided....
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part of that is deficit reduction. part of it is also making sure that we're investing, for example, in rebuilding our infrastructure, which is broken. and, you know, if we are putting people back to work, rebuilding roads, bridges, schools, in part paying for it by some of these broader long-term deficit reduction measures that need to take place, that will grow the economy at the same time as we're also setting our path for long-term fiscal stability. number three. you know, we've got a huge opportunity around energy. we are producing more energy, and america can become an energy exporter. how do we do that in a way that also deals with the environmental challenges we have at the same time? so that's going to be a third thing. but the most immediate thing i've got to do starting on january 1, if congress doesn't act before the end of the year, is to make sure that taxes are not going up on middle class families. because it is going to be very hard for the economy to sustain its current growth trends if suddenly we ha
part of that is deficit reduction. part of it is also making sure that we're investing, for example, in rebuilding our infrastructure, which is broken. and, you know, if we are putting people back to work, rebuilding roads, bridges, schools, in part paying for it by some of these broader long-term deficit reduction measures that need to take place, that will grow the economy at the same time as we're also setting our path for long-term fiscal stability. number three. you know, we've got a huge...
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. >>> it looks like they're pointing -- >> and politicians, and so what we're sealing is -- for deficit reduction. and spend seg cuts off their shoulders, and make it inevitable, saying, you know what? it didn't just happen to them. they pass the sequester, which contained severe, rapid definite at this time reduction. it was almost inevitable, almost the moment they passed the sequester. >> to you, ryan, i was alluding to how both sides are saying different things. two members of the house said this last hour. we had one democrat and one republican. take a listen. >> i think there's still a chance to get something done. that's what happened in the budget deal, i think that's what will happen again. >> it seems like they could even say what will happen. at this point i'm going to side with pollsters saying it won't happen. boehner is at his weakest point ever. to push something through. doing that would weaken him even further. he still needs to be elected speaker on january 3rd. if you're boehner, you let this thing slide past january 3rd, getting yourself elected, and then do what you
. >>> it looks like they're pointing -- >> and politicians, and so what we're sealing is -- for deficit reduction. and spend seg cuts off their shoulders, and make it inevitable, saying, you know what? it didn't just happen to them. they pass the sequester, which contained severe, rapid definite at this time reduction. it was almost inevitable, almost the moment they passed the sequester. >> to you, ryan, i was alluding to how both sides are saying different things. two...
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. >> catherine, isn't it their deficit in large part deficit? >> of course, but they have political amnesia. ideology is the science of idiots. here's one of these moments where when you live inside the box and refuse to look at empirical evidence, refuse to understand history to show us how economies work, how tax cuts or increases affect populations, then they are going to follow this line of idiocy over their own, i think, political cliff. and the partisanship is going to wreak tremendous havoc on the republican party in the upcoming elections. >> we have limited time. i want to go back to john harwood. is there a time here, john, when we're going to see the markets start to react or are we expecting most traders to wait until after the first to make big decisions? >> i think that's when they reacted. if we go over the cliff, even for a couple of days, you're going to see a reaction. i think at the end of the day you will see action if we go over the cliff for a couple of days, because i don't agree with jonathan that they are immune to publi
. >> catherine, isn't it their deficit in large part deficit? >> of course, but they have political amnesia. ideology is the science of idiots. here's one of these moments where when you live inside the box and refuse to look at empirical evidence, refuse to understand history to show us how economies work, how tax cuts or increases affect populations, then they are going to follow this line of idiocy over their own, i think, political cliff. and the partisanship is going to wreak...
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these are people providing us also with the means that float the deficit. these are people that are providing finances and this goes on long enough, they begin to think that. >> who? >> the foreign governments as well as markets. people sitting on enormous treasuries. the question then is they go hold it. if these guys are not serious, why am i depending on them so much? the scary scenario is people say before i continue to float the united states, i want to get a higher return in order to give in to this risk and uncertainty. that is the day the spiral begins because mr. bernanke and col colleagues have to think about raising rates and whether to attract the financing. what is scary about this cliff and the debt ceiling over the next two months to the end of february is for the rest of the world looking at us, we have about two months if not to solve everything, but to get enough ducks lined up that we continue to be at least border line serious. >> talking about border line serious, tim geithner's letter indicating we won't be able to pay our bills, are t
these are people providing us also with the means that float the deficit. these are people that are providing finances and this goes on long enough, they begin to think that. >> who? >> the foreign governments as well as markets. people sitting on enormous treasuries. the question then is they go hold it. if these guys are not serious, why am i depending on them so much? the scary scenario is people say before i continue to float the united states, i want to get a higher return in...
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too much deficit reduction, too quickly, and we could push the economy into a recession. that's just dumb. >> it is very dumb. now, you've been in many, many, many of these negotiations? you've been in the backrooms of a lot of the ongoing negotiations, now, do you think they have any chance of getting a deal before the first of the year? >> i'm always hopeful, but i'm less hopeful as every day passes. the problem is the rhetoric that's flying back and forth between republicans and democrats sounds like we're still having an election that it never was over. i think that now -- now that we've had an election, and the american public has spoken, whatever they meant, it's time for the politicians to get together, come together as starbucks is saying, and get something done. nobody's going to get everything they want. but it's so much more important to solve the problem than for one side or the other to get what they want or blame the other. the atmosphere is just wrong. >> when you hear the argument for going over the cliff. when it's been told to me by both democrats and re
too much deficit reduction, too quickly, and we could push the economy into a recession. that's just dumb. >> it is very dumb. now, you've been in many, many, many of these negotiations? you've been in the backrooms of a lot of the ongoing negotiations, now, do you think they have any chance of getting a deal before the first of the year? >> i'm always hopeful, but i'm less hopeful as every day passes. the problem is the rhetoric that's flying back and forth between republicans and...
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i don't believe republicans care about the deficit as the deficit. none of their behavior indicates that. and i mean, they're behavior during tr go. works bush years and the behavior i just indicated where they revoked $500 billion in cuts. it's fine to say it's not the deficit. they care about things like reducing made care over the ling longrun or they don't like the fact the entitlement state is making people -- what are the actual principles at play here in these negotiations? i am confused. >> i think that republicans do care about the denver sit. i think they care about spending more than the deficit. >> well put, i agree. >> and i suspect that if you were to poll the republican caucus on the hill, there is a overwhelming majority of people that say -- the country is lived beyond its means and somehow, somewhere, we have to get it under control. the way to do that, obviously, is where the money is being spend which is entitlement programs. as a political matter nobody wants to talk about cuts. i agree with you. we talk about bending the curve.
i don't believe republicans care about the deficit as the deficit. none of their behavior indicates that. and i mean, they're behavior during tr go. works bush years and the behavior i just indicated where they revoked $500 billion in cuts. it's fine to say it's not the deficit. they care about things like reducing made care over the ling longrun or they don't like the fact the entitlement state is making people -- what are the actual principles at play here in these negotiations? i am...
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christmas should be a day of joy and celebration and recent tragic events gave this year's holiday a deficit feeling. >> reporter: in newtown, connecticut, it was a day of lingering heartache. empty stockings hung as reminders of loss filled with gifts and police helps for time with their families. >> glad we can do it. >> a pleasure to help them out. >> police officers giving police officers time off, you couldn't ask for a better christmas gift. >> reporter: in the new york area, still without homes because of hurricane sandy, volunteers tried to deliver holiday spirit, handing out food, toys and blankets at relief centers. >> people came out to help people. you can't put a price on that or buy that either. >> reporter: in places spared direct tragedy americans marked it with their own ways keeping those less fortunate in their thoughts. >> when people are suffering and going through hardship, many, many people come to offer their help in whatever they can do. >> reporter: across the nation, americans attended church services and spent time with family and friends. at the mitchell home out
christmas should be a day of joy and celebration and recent tragic events gave this year's holiday a deficit feeling. >> reporter: in newtown, connecticut, it was a day of lingering heartache. empty stockings hung as reminders of loss filled with gifts and police helps for time with their families. >> glad we can do it. >> a pleasure to help them out. >> police officers giving police officers time off, you couldn't ask for a better christmas gift. >> reporter: in...